The presidents of China and the US made a low-key appearance together in Beijing today. The focus was upon increased co-operation, although differences emerged.
The event was described as a press conference, but no questions were allowed. Instead, Hu Jintao and Barack Obama delivered brief prepared comments on their talks.
They both agreed to push for North Korea to re-enter stalled talks on its nuclear programme.
Obama emphasised that China was now a major player on the world stage. He said: "The major challenges of the 21st Century from climate change to nuclear proliferation to economic recovery are challenges that touch both our nations, and challenges that neither of our nations can solve by acting alone."
Hu made a pointed reference to trade protectionism. There have been tensions between China and the US, due to US steel pipe and tyre tariffs.
China is also concerned that the US deficit could threaten its vast dollar holdings as the largest foreign lender to America. Hu said this tension should be resolved on an "equal footing".
The contentious issue of Tibet was also raised. Obama said that US accepted that Tibet was part of China, but said that China should resume talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled leader.
Hu said that he would discuss human rights and religious freedom with the US, but stressed that the two countries should treat each other as equals. He said: "We will continue to act in a spirit of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs."
Obama earlier visited Japan and Singapore, in his first visit to south east Asia as US president. He will leave China for South Korea on Wednesday.
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